Unlike your carpets at home, commercial carpets are exposed to far more wear and tear. That’s why regular cleaning is so important for business owners. Offices with heavy foot traffic tend to get dirty quickly, especially if the carpets are regularly vacuumed but not deep cleaned. This can lead to dirt and odors building up in the fibers.
Commercial carpets can also harbor harmful pollutants that can impact indoor air quality. Over time, these pollutants can get trapped in the carpet fibers and affect the health of employees and customers. Carpet Cleaning El Dorado Hills CA can use shampoo formulas to loosen deeply embedded pollutants.
There are a number of carpet cleaning methods that are suitable for commercial spaces. It is important to find a method that suits your needs and fits in with the maintenance schedule of your space. One of the main considerations is how often you need your carpets cleaned and the level of foot traffic that passes through the space. For example, a business that is open all day will need their carpets cleaned more frequently than an office with people in it only during working hours.
Dry carpet cleaning is a low moisture cleaning process that is ideally suited to commercial spaces as it is fast drying and does not require an extraction machine. The process involves a brushing the carpet with a cleaning product that has been diluted and then vacuuming it. This leaves the carpet with a fresh, clean appearance. This is also a good option for businesses with high footfall areas like shops, offices and public spaces as it reduces the risk of dirt particles being stuck to carpet fibres and then re-soiling when they are cleaned again.
Bonnet cleaning is another low moisture carpet cleaning method that is fast drying and can be used on most types of carpets. This method is usually undertaken by a rotary machine that has a bonnet covered with an absorbent covering that is then rubbed over the carpet surface. The carpet is then vacuumed to remove the dirty covering and the shampoo that has been applied. This is a good option for businesses that are looking for an alternative to traditional steam cleaning.
The cylindrical foam carpet cleaning method is a more recent development that uses a low moisture shampoo solution and is able to be used on most types of carpets. The shampoo is whipped into a foam and then brushed into the carpet with a machine incorporating a cylindrical brush. Once the foam has dried it is vacuumed to remove the shampoo and soil particles that it has captured. This is an ideal alternative to bonnet cleaning for businesses that are looking for a low moisture solution that works on water sensitive carpets.
Hot Water Extraction
Hot water extraction (or HWE) uses a high-powered machine that blasts hot cleaning solution and clean water into the carpet fibres, flushing out dirt, contaminants, dust mites, and other debris. Unlike other carpet cleaning methods, hot water extraction cleans deep into the carpet to remove embedded soil.
A professional hot water extraction cleaner will first pre-spray the carpet with a detergent solution that helps break up and loosen any dirt particles. This solution is then sucked up by the powerful vacuums of the hot water extraction machine along with all the dirt, contaminants, dust mites, etc. The hot water extraction machine will also de-grease the carpet to help remove ground in spots and stains.
The hot water extracting process is followed by a rinse cycle with a neutralizing agent to leave the carpet free of soapy residue that can attract more dirt and contaminants. This rinse is critical as it will prevent the carpet from re-soiling more quickly and will help ensure a longer carpet life.
After the carpet is rinsed, post-treatment chemicals like protectors are applied and then the carpet is groomed to get rid of any remaining dirt and debris and to help it look better. Then the carpet is allowed to dry and air movers are used to speed up the drying process.
There are many different ways to clean commercial carpets and choosing the right method(s) is important for your business. A skilled commercial carpet cleaner will look at the type of carpet you have, your budget, and the requirements for your business to recommend and implement the correct cleaning system.
Almost every major carpet manufacturer recommends (and in some cases requires for warranty reasons) regular hot water extraction cleaning to keep the fabric looking and performing its best. Encapsulation cleaning is the ideal method to supplement your commercial carpet cleaning program, providing a great interim cleaning between full hot water extraction cleanings. The two methods work together to keep your carpets clean and healthy – like a good marriage – you don’t want one without the other!
Bonnet Cleaning
You’ve probably seen a person in large commercial buildings, hotels or office spaces running a rotary floor machine with a bonnet attached. This is a type of floor buffer or rotary scrubber that’s normally used to polish and buff floors of tile, linoleum and concrete. Someone once got the idea that this same type of machine could be used to clean carpet as well.
The process involves soaking a cotton, polyester or synthetic-fiber bonnet in cleaning solution before attaching it to the spinning machine. As the machine is run over the carpet, the bonnet and cleaning solution agitate dirt particles in the fibers of the rug or carpet. Dirt is then absorbed into the pad, where it’s rinsed and removed by the machine. Usually, a new pad is applied to the machine after every cleaning cycle. The rotary shampoo machine is considered to be an interim maintenance cleaning method rather than a deep cleaner like the hot water extraction method.
It can look very good when it’s done, but the rotary shampoo method leaves dirt and detergent residue in the carpet. This may cause it to soil more quickly and, because of the harsh scrubbing, can also lead to the breakage of some fibers. The use of this method is not recommended by carpet manufacturers. It’s also possible that it may void the manufacturer’s warranty.
This is an old, dated carpet-cleaning method, but it’s still frequently used in smaller areas that require less frequent cleaning. It’s a good choice for offices, boutiques and other commercial spaces that need to maintain an appealing appearance. It’s a quick and affordable process that can be performed daily or monthly, depending on the specific carpet and its ability to withstand regular scrubbing.
A combination of this method and the hot water extraction cleaning technique can provide exceptional results. It’s important to prepare the area for bonneting by removing all furniture and vacuuming to remove as much dirt as possible from the carpet fibers. A specialized sprayer or mop bucket is used to pre-mix the Recapture encapsulating detergent with the appropriate amount of hot water. The sprayer is then used to apply the pre-mixed detergent to the carpet and allow it to sit for several minutes.
Encapsulation
Carpets in offices, restaurants and other business areas are subject to a lot of wear and tear. They also have to endure heavy foot traffic from employees and customers. Dirty and stained carpets can give off a bad impression and deter potential clients. This is why regular professional cleaning is essential. Professional commercial carpet cleaners use a range of cleaning methods to maintain the health and beauty of your carpeting.
Encapsulation involves applying a special powder that reacts with the dirt particles in your carpeting and traps them. Once this has happened, the debris can be removed using a powerful vacuum cleaner. This method is particularly useful in the hospitality industry where there is a constant stream of customers coming and going. It is also beneficial for cinemas and leisure centres, where food and drinks are often spilt and difficult to clean up.
When choosing a commercial carpet cleaner, look for one with a high tank capacity and easy-to-maneuver design. Having a larger tank size reduces the number of refills needed and saves you money in the long run. Additionally, choose a machine that offers a variety of cleaning modes and settings to tackle different types of stains.
It is also worth considering purchasing a warranty to protect your investment and provide peace of mind. Finally, consider buying a commercial carpet cleaner with eco-friendly options to cut down on chemical usage and reduce environmental impact. To learn more about selecting the best commercial carpet cleaner for your needs, contact us today.
